Association of blood pressure with diabetic retinopathy and its severity in patients of type-II diabetes.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the association of blood pressure with DR and its severity in type two diabetics. Study Design: Descriptive, Correlational study. Setting: Outpatient Department of Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust Eye Hospital, Lahore. Period: 1^st July, 2016 to 30^th August, 2016. Materials & Method: After recording of demographic data, 80 type two diabetics of age 45-65 years of both genders were evaluated by consultant ophthalmologist for status and grading of diabetic retinopathy. Blood pressure was recorded with the help of mercury sphygmomanometer. Data were entered and analyzed on SPSS version 22. Qualitative variables were mentioned as percentages. For comparison of quantitative variables, student ”t” test or mann whiten U test as per distribution of data, were applied. For exploring the association between blood pressure and diabetic retinopathy, spearman rho correlation test was employed. Results: Out of total 80 patients, 42 had DR of varying grade. Most of the study participants were females (62.5 %). On comparison between two groups, systolic blood pressure was not significantly different however, diastolic blood pressure had significant difference. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure had significant association with severity of DR in both eyes of the patients with only exception of diastolic blood pressure with severity in left eye, which had non-significant correlation. Conclusion: The study results suggest that, blood pressure should be considered as a contributing factor for development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.